This is way off point, but today (2 Dec) is the anniversary of the Battle of Austerlitz (book II), where Andrei saw the sky. One of my favorite moments.
I have a huge feeling of satisfaction about reaching this point in the book. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a novel that would top my chart of best-evers; I have been more interested in understanding who Tolstoy was as a writer, what this incredibly famous book is all about and why it has been such a literary centerpiece. And that has happened, and much more(!), through patient reading, the chat, and Simon’s weekly footnotes and tangents. I especially enjoyed the ones this week on Moscow’s burning and new research on ant colonies.
And a note for Simon: I didn’t see the button for your tip jar in this week’s summary, so can you add it? The end of each book is a perfect occasion for adding thank-you bumps to your earnings.
Congratulations, Sheri, on coming so far. What a journey it has been! And you'll make me blush about the tip jar. In predictably English fashion, I am very bad at rattling my tin. I'll pop it back in the post. Thank you!
Can't believe the book is ended already. I am very grateful to have my reading journey alongside Footnotes & Tangents and other readers. It was a great journey, feeling like I had another life long ago in a different country.
Of course I'm going to carry on through the epilogs. This book is like a beautiful symphony. You can listen to it over and over yet it retains its magic.
Thank you for including the link to Dr. Kaufman's talk about his book Give War and Peace a Chance. It's a good way to revisit W&P's primary themes and beloved characters. And that great quote about greatness ;-)
This is way off point, but today (2 Dec) is the anniversary of the Battle of Austerlitz (book II), where Andrei saw the sky. One of my favorite moments.
I have a huge feeling of satisfaction about reaching this point in the book. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a novel that would top my chart of best-evers; I have been more interested in understanding who Tolstoy was as a writer, what this incredibly famous book is all about and why it has been such a literary centerpiece. And that has happened, and much more(!), through patient reading, the chat, and Simon’s weekly footnotes and tangents. I especially enjoyed the ones this week on Moscow’s burning and new research on ant colonies.
And a note for Simon: I didn’t see the button for your tip jar in this week’s summary, so can you add it? The end of each book is a perfect occasion for adding thank-you bumps to your earnings.
Congratulations, Sheri, on coming so far. What a journey it has been! And you'll make me blush about the tip jar. In predictably English fashion, I am very bad at rattling my tin. I'll pop it back in the post. Thank you!
Can't believe the book is ended already. I am very grateful to have my reading journey alongside Footnotes & Tangents and other readers. It was a great journey, feeling like I had another life long ago in a different country.
I love that!
Of course I'm going to carry on through the epilogs. This book is like a beautiful symphony. You can listen to it over and over yet it retains its magic.
Absolutely.
Loved the link to fires in Moscow- an interesting addition to your awesome weekly audio commentaries, even if I’m running a bit behind.
Thank you for including the link to Dr. Kaufman's talk about his book Give War and Peace a Chance. It's a good way to revisit W&P's primary themes and beloved characters. And that great quote about greatness ;-)
Thanks, Joni. I unashamedly owe a great debt to Andrew Kaufman for the general approach I take in this slow read.